News & Events

Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation reminds businesses sourcing products from the UK they will take on additional responsibilities as EU importers after Brexit

The Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, is today, Tuesday 5 February 2019, reminding businesses that if they source products from the UK, they will take on additional responsibilities as an importer after Brexit.

As it stands, the UK is scheduled to leave the EU as of 11pm on the 29th of March. In light of ongoing uncertainty in Britain, we continue work to prepare for the UK’s exit. Therefore, all businesses concerned have to prepare, make all necessary decisions, and complete all required administrative actions before then, in order to avoid disruption.

Minister Humphreys said, “After Brexit, goods destined to or coming from the UK will be subject to EU rules on import/export to and from third countries. Businesses must take the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the EU’s import/export prohibitions and restrictions, including checking their supply chain. This applies regardless of whether there is a deal or not.”

“My Department will continue over the coming weeks to highlight the key issues that businesses need to be aware of in the run up to Brexit, and the Government supports that are available to them to mitigate its impacts”, the Minister said.

Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen TD said “Before the UK leaves the EU, it is critical that businesses assess all aspects of their potential exposure. After Brexit, companies in Ireland will no longer be able to rely on UK-based Notified Bodies to undertake third party conformity assessments required under relevant EU law. They will instead need to source an EU-based Notified Body legally designated to carry conformity assessments. A list of Notified Bodies is available on the EU ‘NANDO’ website”.

Irish businesses are also advised that

  • Products imported from the UK post-Brexit need to be EU compliant.
  • Businesses need to understand the vulnerabilities in their supply chains. They need to know the full supply chain for all their products (machinery, chemicals, etc.) and how it is linked to the UK, including via distributors.
  • Irish companies sourcing their product from the UK after Brexit may become an EU importer with additional legal responsibilities for compliance of the product with EU law. 
  • When UK leaves, UK registrations, authorization or notifications under REACH and CLP will not be valid. This means the role of businesses in Ireland may change from being a downstream user of chemicals to an importer.

The European Commission has published an important and useful Q&A for businesses which sets out guidance in relation to industrial goods on the Union market and the legal position and requirements after Brexit.

Further advice for businesses on how to prepare for Brexit and information on the suite of Government supports available, please visit:

www.prepareforbrexit.ie

www.intertradeireland.com/brexit/

www.hsa.ie/brexit

www.nsai.ie/brexit

NOTES TO EDITOR:

Nando Database

Lists of approved EU Notified Bodies can be searched on the NANDO web site: ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/nando/

The lists include the identification number of each notified body as well as the tasks for which it has been notified and are subject to regular update.

About HSA

The HSA is the lead National Competent Authority in Ireland for a number of EU Chemicals regulations including REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging of chemicals), Detergents and Rotterdam Regulations.

The Health & Safety Authority is responsible for the market surveillance of a machinery, Transportable pressure equipment, lifts, ATEX equipment and PPE.  

The Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB), which is also part of the Health and Safety Authority, provides accreditation to applicant conformity assessment bodies (CABs) which test, certify and inspect products/services.

Further information

About NSAI

NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) is the National Standards Body in Ireland. NSAI is an EU Notified Body for certification of certain medical devices, motor vehicles, construction products and measuring instruments. It also carries out market surveillance on packaged goods and measuring devices. NSAI aims to deepen consumer confidence and create the infrastructure for products and services to be recognised and relied on.

Further information

  • Information on NSAI’s services is available on the NSAI website (www.nsai.ie).
  • Information on the impact of Brexit on standards and certification can be found on the NSAI Brexit portal (www.nsai.ie/brexit).

Ends

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) plays a key role in implementing the Government’s policies of stimulating the productive capacity of the economy and creating an environment which supports job creation and maintenance. The Department also has a remit to promote fair competition in the marketplace, protect consumers and safeguard workers.

For more information please contact press.office@dbei.gov.ie or ph: (01) 6312200